The city of Amery, Wisconsin was the host this year for the 2011 Local Government Management Internship Program, and began May 31, 2011.  Throughout the internship the students chronicled their work accomplishments in the areas of Parks and Recreation, Planning, and Municipal Administration. The summer program recently wrapped up, and you can explore their experiences on the 2011 LGMI blog at http://www9.wittenberg.edu/localintern2011.

Through their blog the students shared their experiences outside of the classroom and inside town hall, as well as some of their down-time activities. The opportunity to be in a new community allowed the students to see and enjoy other parts of the country.

About the LGMI Program

The eight-week program combines an unpaid, undergraduate internship with a class/seminar component. Students from Wittenberg University and other schools work as interns in a host local government where they work on one or more projects to complete by the end of the program. In addition to working for a local government students are required to attend class two nights a week. Onsite Wittenberg faculty advise students on their assigned projects in conjunction with their class work. This combination of first hand experience and classroom instruction is the perfect mix of theory and application.

Many students who have participated in this program have gone on to be leaders in local communities, universities, and the military. Many of these past participants attribute their current successes to their experience with this program and how it impacted their commitment towards public service.

Ultimately, this program offers a local government fresh and energetic help, while providing a fantastic learning opportunity to tomorrow’s leaders.

If your local government would like to host a future class of LGMIs please consult Wittenberg University at http://www5.wittenberg.edu/academics/polisci/mgtinternship.html.